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Thankful Thursdays…Perspective

By
Home Stager

Thankful Thursdays…Perspective

 

We want to be grateful for what we have. It is something that we teach our children. We have started gratitude jars. Daily, we count our blessings.

However, it occurred to me that our blessings…being thankful for what we have...involves perspective.

 

 

I heard a talking head commiserate about the supply chain issue a year or so ago.  He was concerned that he could not get the Range Rover he wanted to give his daughter for her birthday. 

 

And during the Super Bowl, there was a commercial where a young boy deflates when his father said they couldn’t afford to go on a trip this year. 

It’s all about perspective, isn’t it? What we think we don't have can seem so insignificant when we hear the stories of others.


On Monday, my niece texted her mother and me in need of Valentine’s Candy and little cards for three of her students. Those children were in tears when they explained that they would not be able to bring candy because their parents could not afford it. 

My niece’s mother and I bought candies and Valentine's cards for her students and on Valentine’s Day, out of sight of the other children, Jennifer gave them to her 3 students.

 

 

They were so happy and thankful that they would have something to hand out to the other children. 

 

I wanted to cry at the thought of any child feeling so left out. It wasn’t about the candy or cards but about belonging. The three would have received candy from the other students but now they were able to give something to the others as well.

 

 

I am grateful for so many things and feel I have been blessed with much. This week, I am so grateful for a niece who is so caring. 



Empathy begins with understanding life from another person's perspective.
Nobody has an objective experience of reality.
It's all through our own individual prisms.
Sterling K. Brown

 

Compassion does not just happen. Pity does, but compassion is not pity. It's not a feeling. Compassion is a viewpoint, a way of life, a perspective, a habit that becomes a discipline - and more than anything else, compassion is a choice we make that love is more important than comfort or convenience. 

Glennon Doyle Melton

 

Posted by

Kathy Streib
Retired Home Stager
and Interior Redesign

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Comments (30)

Norma J. Elkins
Elite Realty Group - Morristown, TN
Realtor - Elkins Home Selling Team

Aww I always love these feel good stories.  There is so much negativity in the world so I always look forward to your Thankful Thursday! Hope you have a fabulous day!

Feb 16, 2023 06:34 AM
Kathy Streib

Hi Norma J. Elkins That is so sweet of you. Thank you very much. And I agree, we need to read about more feel-good stories. 

Feb 16, 2023 05:09 PM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Kathy,
I was thinking the other day about what a burden the expectation of giving cards and candy to each child in a classroom. Not every parent can afford that. How sweet of your niece to have the compassion to ask for help for the three other children. She, obviously, has great role models in your family.

Feb 16, 2023 06:50 AM
Kathy Streib

Thank you Carol Williams And yes...I'd imagine it's been stressful for many families trying to put food on the table and give the essential things to their children that all parents want to be able to provide them with. 

Feb 16, 2023 05:20 PM
Steve Penner
Royal LePage Dynamic RE / Pro Ledger Bookkeeping Software - Winnipeg, MB
REALTOR® / Pro Ledger Online (owner)

Hi Kathy, great post.  Perspective is so important.. and really liked the comment on compassion being a decision.  have a great day 

 

Feb 16, 2023 07:25 AM
Kathy Streib

Thank you Steve Penner We have to teach our children to have compassion for others...to be kind. 

Feb 16, 2023 05:22 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much, Kathy, for sharing this story and your quote selections.

Let's continue to spread love and kindness every day.

Feb 16, 2023 07:45 AM
Kathy Streib

Roy Kelley I agree...we have to keep spreading kindness and love. 

Feb 16, 2023 05:22 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Kathy, it is all how a child is brought up, or going to a school in a very wealthy area.

Feb 16, 2023 07:57 AM
Kathy Streib

Joan Cox  our good friends were financially secure (very) but they made their children work summers  and do chores throughout the house. 

Feb 16, 2023 05:24 PM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

I think, as the gap of those who have and those who do not becomes greater, we need to take a hard look at what is driving up prices and lowering the expectations of those in the middle. Our (very wealthy) government officials are tone deaf.

Feb 16, 2023 08:29 AM
Kathy Streib

Hearing aids wouldn't fix some of those who are tone-deaf in DC Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty We place athletes and entertainers on pedestals and they try to talk to us about social injustices while they fly around the country in their private jets. 

Feb 16, 2023 05:28 PM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Kathy,

Hearing this story warms my heart. This is not just one act of kindness.  I think this is a young person who is destined to move forward in her life with compassion, selflessness, and empathy for others.  God bless her.

 

Feb 16, 2023 08:42 AM
Kathy Streib

Sheri Sperry - MCNE® Those are such good gifts that she's been given!  I think we need more feel-good stories. 

Feb 16, 2023 05:37 PM
Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho
Sandpoint Realty LLC - Sandpoint, ID
North Idaho Real Estate - 208-255.6227

There is so much pressure, that we many times are unaware of, that is brought on without others even being aware it is there.  Walking in another's shoes comes to mind.  Mark

Feb 16, 2023 09:29 AM
Kathy Streib

Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho we don't think twice about getting these things for our children and forget that others are struggling for the basics. You're right...walk a mile in someone else's shoes. 

Feb 16, 2023 05:41 PM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

So glad you had the opportunity to step in for these 3 kids. You are so right - it's not abut the candy or cards, but belonging , and not feeling singled out 

Feb 16, 2023 10:11 AM
Kathy Streib

Lise Howe we all want to feel like we belong...that we're not having fingers pointed at us. 

Feb 16, 2023 05:42 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Hi Kathy how wonderful that your niece reached out for help (and you 2 lovely ladies acted quickly) with a small, yet huge 'gift of giving 'these 3 little ones the 'gift of giving' candy! That's a big deal to kids!   And it really is all about our perspective.  I feel so blessed and grateful each and every day.

Feb 16, 2023 10:19 AM
Kathy Streib

Anna Banana Kruchten Phoenix Broker when we begin to get the poor pitiful me's, we have only to think of others. 

Feb 16, 2023 05:43 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

I see it a bit differently Kathy - I don't let myself get into those negative spaces (at least not for long and I mean really short - minutes maybe).  What I learned to do is shift on a dime to a better felling thought and think about things that make me happy.  I am grateful for that mentor that taught me this so long ago now.

Feb 16, 2023 08:06 PM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

This is such a touching story, I am glad you were so open to help and that your niece knew she could reach out to you safely. I love the last quote, it is truly amazing and worth reading twice or more times.

Feb 16, 2023 10:55 AM
Kathy Streib

Thank you Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543 that quote sums it all up for me. 

Feb 16, 2023 05:49 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Kathy my heart goes out to those three kids, but I have a hard time feeling any sympathy for anyone one who is upset about not being able to get a Range Rover.

Feb 16, 2023 03:16 PM
Kathy Streib

George Souto when I heard that over the air I couldn't believe it. He also caught heck from his on-air peers. 

Feb 16, 2023 05:50 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Being grateful provides a little time to ponder how truly blessed we are.  Each morning, my 2 felines and I talk about how fortunate we are.

Feb 16, 2023 05:24 PM
Kathy Streib

Myrl Jeffcoat We need to get into the habit of focusing on all that we have. 

Feb 16, 2023 05:52 PM
Buzz Mackintosh
Mackintosh REALTORS - Frederick, MD
“Experience, reliable, leadership”

What a wonderful thing you three did for those kids to make their day Kathy! My Daughter has taught school in 3 different States at Title One schools and I have heard similar stories from her and it does put things in perspective.

Feb 16, 2023 05:49 PM
Kathy Streib

Buzz Mackintosh Thank you. I'll bet your daughter has many stories that make us realize how fortunate we all are.   Is your daughter still teaching??

Feb 16, 2023 06:04 PM
Buzz Mackintosh

Kathy Streib  he taught in North Carolina, and Tennessee and now is teaching 2nd grade in Boise, Idaho.

Feb 16, 2023 06:21 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

What was such a small thing to buy candy for those 3 students and not know how much it will impact them as they live their lives

Feb 17, 2023 04:08 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Yes, perspective is vital, and I know plenty of poor people that are much more grateful for what they have and happier because of it.  I am all about fulfilling needs, not wants, there are too many wants in the world these days and for whatever reason the younger generation expects everything to be handed to them without even earning it, haha.

Feb 17, 2023 05:05 AM
Ray Henson
eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) - Elk Grove, CA
Realtor

That is a wonderful story.  Thank you for sharing it and thank you for helping those young girls feel special. 

Feb 17, 2023 10:09 AM
Scott Schulte
Scott Schulte LLC - Phoenix, AZ

Empathy begins with understanding life from another person's perspective. Great thought to hold on to! 

Feb 17, 2023 12:55 PM
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

My heart swelled reading this blog.  I am so happy you were able to step in and give so generously. ❤️

Feb 18, 2023 02:05 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

What a beautiful thing...to save those children the embarrassment. A great example of how we all should be...helping others who are in need.

Feb 23, 2023 07:45 AM